"Ah-ha" Moments

there are moments in life when you question whether you have made the right decision or are in the right place...you have been there, right?? but then there are times when you know that you are exactly where you are meant to be for all the right reasons. the skinny buddha calls these "ah-ha" moments...

while in dc this last weekend, i had an "ah-ha" moment. 

when i lived there, i would go for long runs on the mall and always stop at the steps behind the lincoln memorial to stair climb. i found it to be just the right therapy to get my mind off of my crazy life working on the hill and allowed me to escape the political bubble (even if just for a little while). it was my "me" time to work through life and whatever was on my mind. 

so here i was doing that same run, climbing those same stairs and it felt completely different. rather than feeling angst...i felt completely energized and a sense of excitement for what's next? at the time, it was running back to georgetown for brunch with my amazing gfs but in the bigger picture, it was the excitement of all of the possibilities. a little voice in my head was saying, "you know you are on the right track when you are uninterested in looking back..."

so with that said, i wanted to share bits of an email from a friend this morning, another "ah-ha" moment: people come and go in your life, some are not forever, things change but incredible "forever" friends like sw are unconditional reminders of what life is all about. thank you sw for sharing the "ah-ha" today. 

xx,

s

Subject: Something that made me smile tonight...

OK. so i started going back and reading through some of the she told you so posts i missed and i came across this little gem from skinny buddha. it truly made me smile, almost brought a tear to my eye. 

the journey sb talks about is so real and honest... for me it struck a note tonight because i've gotten to play and watch some of the journey and transitions of sb's own little s ... and this weekend, it was really amazing to see your smiles, hear you talk about your epiphanies and the up's and down's with a little perspective...even if one only knew you from the tiny snap-shot this weekend when you jumped up on the table at town hall to announce with arms wide open, "you're getting married!," it wouldn't take them long to understand that you always bring a lot of love, countless hours filled with laughter, a little glam, some spunk and you always go the extra mile, or 700 in this case...

so somehow i got caught up rambling on and on in this email, but what i set out to say, ever so succinctly...you got a lot from sb and share similar priorities--- putting family and friends first and trying always to see the beauty in the small things. maybe that's why i liked this so much... 

love you s. glad you made it back to chiberia safely! 

until next time, 

sw

p.s. you have me talking in initials!

#STYS

(picture via s's iphone)

He Told You So: My Music Evolution

much like our new she told you so series (ahem, meet denise), we are rolling out a new he told you so series... these features will give you a glimpse into the male's psyche. and who doesn't want that glimpse? we'll be featuring men of all ages so get yourself excited. i know we are! without further ado... our first #htys guest feature:

name: duh - cougar or AC

age: 31
where are you from? dc by way of nashville and rochester

single/attached... at the hip, when i'm not traveling

chicago is… my concubine

what is on your bucket list... travel the world in anthony bourdain's pocket

what do you drink? beer and wine, darker the better

favorite book... periodical man myself, no books

what 3 famous people would you invite to dinner? danny tanner, uncle jesse katsopolis and uncle joey gladstone

ideal date... wine tasting to pig roast to country music concert

on a sunday morning, you can find me... hangin' with schmoopie, snuggling or spinning

on a saturday night, you can find me... out and about

what's the best advice you have ever received? chew your food slowly (I still need to learn how to do that)

if i could do it again, what would 30 year old me tell 18 year old me about women and relationships? don't get invested in one too quickly, you really won't know what you want until that one day in the future when it just clicks...and chicks don't dig pleated pants.

love is... when you're lying in a hotel bed, right before you go to sleep, and you automatically turn to your side to snuggle a pillow that your mind says is her but isn't.

my music evolution...

i’m a strong believer that you can tell a lot about where a man’s at in a relationship by knowing what he’s listening to. you’ll never confuse me with a country boy, but i am a gentleman and a country music fan (these do exist in the north) and this is where the story begins and will end. i’ve made my share of mistakes, in fact telling one ex-girlfriend that dierks bentley’s “lot of leavin’ left to do” (no more lyrics required to understand) was my anthem.  not very cool, immature….i know this now.

funny enough, it’s a different story. i’m a different story. four to five days a week on the road will put it in perspective. i absolutely cannot wait, seriously I have dreams about this, to blast an email farewell to my colleagues with nothing but a single line, maybe 20 characters in all – no words just a little youtube link that says everything more perfectly than i could ever express myself. never has my favorite country song, courtesy of gary allan, resonated so clearly as it does now…

There's a plane flyin' outta here tonight

Destination New Orleans

Boss man says my big promotion's on the line

He says that's right where I need to be

lately i've been on the road more than i've been home

all this leavin' her alone is killin' me

and holdin' her right now has got me thinkin' more and more

this is right where I need to be

there were plenty of other favorite songs in between that i could rattle off over a couple glasses of bourbon or beer,  but know that this is where i’m at and i’ve never known myself better. i’d like to speak for all men out there, maybe i can’t; but, i’m sure as hell over the next few years that as the music evolves, so will i. i think other men will too.

best,
AC #htys

(picture via s's iphone)

Three Eye Essentials

k's pick - diorshow iconic mascara

i dont wear alot of makeup, but mascara is a must for me 

to look awake and ready to take on the day...

i swear by dior!

s's pick - bobbi brown long-wear gel eyeliner

i have been looking for an eyeliner that doesn't budge and stays on all day...

bobbi brown gel liner does just that.

c's pick - tom ford eye color quad

i can't imagine my eye make up regime without tom ford's golden mink...

it's worth every penny for blue eye beauts that 

stick to browns and golden colors for eyes!

xx,

k, s, & c 

(photos via sephora / bobbi brown / neiman marcus)

The Monarch

after a friday night out, is there really anything better than a delicious brunch with bloody marys and bottomless mimosas? we think not. shampoo effect anyone? 

we were excited to check out the monarch this past saturday. it's not in our designated neighborhoods, but it's definitely worth the short cab ride for not only the amazing food but also for the old school tunes. the food has a creative simplicity to it that leaves you wanting more. we started with the sweet spiced pretzel with raisin cream cheese and then followed with the fried green tomato and croissant egg sandwiches. this combo can cure any hangover and it was just, well, SO good. 

we learned from colin burke (the owner) that their chef, michael destefano, is only 27 years old. we can imagine he has a great team of support, but whatever he is doing- he has got to keep it up! his menu is spot on and the bottomless mimosas don't hurt either ;) now hurry on over there to check it out. we are dying to go back for dinner, looks equally as delicious! 

xx,

k, s, & c

p.s. they also have a great patio in the back that is calling our name...hurry up spring! 

(pictures via k's camera)

The Perfect "Meet Cute" #CHANEL

a few weeks ago, s popped into saks on her lunch break to make a quick return, but instead experienced the makings of the perfect "meet cute" with chanel business manager and makeup artist, denise bejasa. they immediately got to chatting and bonded over their love for chicago and house of cards. it didn't take long for s to realize that db had to meet k and c. denise not only has a way of making you look and feel beautiful, but has an honest thoughtfulness that any girl would appreciate in a makeup artist (and a friend).

s and c spent valentine's day at chanel, getting pretty with db before heading out on a sister date to tre soldi. here are a few of our pics and product favs from our date night. but more importantly, we want to introduce you to our new friend and beauty guru...denise bejasa.

xx,
s & c

name: denise bejasa

position: chanel business manager (makeup artist)

chicago is…
special because the people are generally family-oriented, strong (to endure our weather), and we have sub-cultures of music lovers, foodies, and artists. our city is clean and people have these pockets of places they like to hang out all over the city! 

my winter beauty secret is… 

i bought some japanese cotton masks that i soak in serums for moisture to intensify the efficacy. hannibal lechter scariness for no less than 20 minutes. i mask 2-3 times a week before i go to bed.  i also soak my body in lavender eucalyptus epsom salts at night when it's extremely cold. it relaxes my muscles, clears my head, and softens my skin. i found the salts at CVS.

beauty routine…

morning - lotions douceur (toner), sublimage eye cream, SK-II facial lift emulsion, chanel UV essential spf 50 

night - chanel bi-phase eye makeup remover, shiseido cleansing brush with chanel purete cleansing gel or chanel sublimage cleanser without the brush, chanel sublimage eye cream or sisley eye contour mask, chanel la nuit serum, and SK-II skin refining treatment (2 times per week) chanel le lift creme (neck) 

if you could do the makeup of any celebrity, who would it be and why…

i would love to do diane sawyer's makeup.  i feel she is a graceful woman who has to report the news no matter how pressing and maintain her composure and accuracy.  she always looks polished not flashy. there are many things i would ask her in regards to events, politics, and lifestyle.  i imagine she would be amazing and appreciative.  

my favorite style icon is… 

my mother would say imelda marcos because i'm filipino and have an extensive collection of shoes. i don't have a specific icon but i was influenced by my father because of his style and appreciation for quality versus quantity in regards to picking out clothes and accessories.  

i can't live without (what product?)… concealer 

what is in your purse? 

ice breakers duo mints, anti-bacterial wipes, my calendar, my iphone, givenchy sunglasses, blink eye drops, keys, matte velvet rouge allure lipstick 317, and Louis vuitton wallet

love is… unconditional. 

what three words describe chanel cosmetics/skincare... ICONIC, FUN, AND EFFECTIVE.

what is the best advice you have ever received? #STYS 

don't touch your face throughout the day! 

(pictures via c's camera)

Introducing...

we're introducing a new series for she told you so this year and we're very excited about it! we will be featuring ladies in different work fields who are talented, fun, and caring... you know those gals who you just hope rub off on you. well, we're starting TODAY. come back in a few hours to check out our first of many #stys features! we hope you too get inspired like we do by every one of these ladies that we feature in the coming months... #stys

xx,
k, s, & c

(picture via pinterest)

Three from #MFW

as much as we are excited for spring's arrival, we have loved seeing the 2014 fall/winter looks walking the runways of milan this week. whether it was the 60s inspired gucci show with knee high boots, over-sized glasses and shift dresses or the avant garde retro glamour of prada with shearling coats and art deco prints, we are feeling inspired to amp up our wardrobe choices as we head into another blustery chicago weekend. here are our picks from #MFW...

happy weekend all!

xx,
k, s, & c

k's pick - gucci

i loved the 60s vibe and flirty hemlines of gucci...
reminded me of penny lane in almost famous :)

s's pick - max mara

obsessing over max mara's combination
of gold, tweed, and fur...

c's pick - prada

as you all know, i love menswear inspired looks...

prada nailed it with jewel tones, feminine silk slip dresses 

combined with over-sized coats.

(pictures via pinterest / marie claire)